Hey everyone!
I seem to have a thing for posting late. It's like twelve minutes until New Year's Eve, so I guess I might need to get moving. Of course, I could pretend I live in California right?

Anyway, I hope y'all have had an incredible break and have gotten lots of rest, watched sappy Hallmark Christmas movies, and eaten a tray or two of Chex Mix. That to me is the perfect break! Of course, all breaks come to an end at some point. Please don't hate me for that statement! Since I'm sure most breaks are ending in a few days, I thought it may help if you had a few things you can save, print, and laminate. That way you can relax a few extra minutes (especially if you procrastinate like me).

Here are two of my freebies that I have over on TPT. One is my New Years freebie and has several language arts centers and a math center. The other is a winter freebie and it is a true/false math center. Just click on the pictures and it will take you to my store so you can download them. Hope you enjoy and when you have a few minutes, stop by 1st Grade Fantabulous for a visit.

Hi friends! It's Laura from Peace, Love, and First Grade. Thanks so much for stopping by The Chalkboard!

Disclaimer: This is a post about strengthening your immune system. I do not profess to be a medical professional. I am simply sharing teachers' suggestions for living a healthier lifestyle.

Stay with me, friends. There's a freebie at the end!

Over the last two years, I have had the stomach virus twice, a few sinus infections, Bronchitis two times, and Walking Pneumonia.

Remember, I'm not a new teacher, either...Frankly, I'm sick of being sick! Obviously, my Immune System is shot!

Well, let me tell you something, I want 2014 to be different, and I know it's up to me to boost my system!

SO...I asked some of my blogging pals and teacher friends what they did to stay healthy in the classroom. I've compiled their answers right here.One list is for things you can do at home and another for things you can do at school. Hopefully, if you are in the same boat I'm in, we can toughen up before that boat sinks!

What You Can Do at HomeLet's be honest, we all know we shouldn't smoke. We should eat our fruits and veggies, and we should limit alcohol intake, right?But what else can we do?

1-Take your vitamins

2-Take probiotics. Ask your doctor for the right one for you.3-Vitamin C every day

4-Get plenty of rest and sleep5-Drink tons of water

6-Drink green tea daily, cranberry juice, or vitamin water7-Eat a clean diet (so hard to do)8-Exercise regularly (even harder to do)9-Get about 20 minutes of fresh air and sunshine daily. You need the Vitamin C.10-Use saline solution or a saline rinse before you leave your house and before bed. My doctor recommended Simply Saline.

11-Throw away your tooth brush after you are sick. Do this with your family members' brushes, too.12-Change your pillow case every single day when you are sick.

13-When you feel yourself getting sick, take something like Emergen-C or Colloidal Silver.14-Take a steam shower at least twice a week. All those flu germs can't survive in really high temps.

15-Cut out the stress from your life. Okay...we teach. At least find the time to relax!

17-Make time for yourself. Once a week, find time to do something you enjoy.18-Get organized. If you aren't already. This helps alleviate stress.19-Learn to say, "No." You don't have to do it all. You don't.20-Several teachers swear by "juicing," too. Link below.

Things You Can do in the Classroom1-This one is a pet peeve with me. Teach your students to cough and sneeze into their sleeves, NOT THEIR HANDS. Makes me cringe when I see teachers coughing into their hands.2-Don't touch your face and (try to) teach children not to touch their faces.3-Use hand sanitizer before touching your skin ALL DAY LONG.

4-Use a cup with a lid. Keep it away from kiddos. 5-Use your own pencils, markers, etc. Try not to touch kid pencils, etc. or sanitize right after using.6-Use your own tissue box, separate from the kiddos.7-Use anti-bacterial wipes on all surfaces touched by kiddos or spray with Lysol. (keyboards, door handles, light switches).8-Have students blow their noses by the door. Have them put their tissues in a trash can by the door, then use hand sanitizer.9-Have students get hand sanitizer before guided reading, reading books in the class library, or using math manipulatives.

10-Wear a small apron filled with YOUR supplies. Don't share those supplies with the kiddos.

I set up a "Get Well Station" in my classroom. I keep tissues, hand sanitizer, and a trash bin next to the door. Students blow their noses, drop tissues in the trash, get some hand sanitizer, THEN walk to the sink to wash their hands. Is it overkill?? Maybe, but we need to stay well!

I
hope you've found something here to help you stay well in 2014! If you
have anything to add, I'd love to hear it and will add it above. Thanks
so much for sticking with me!

Here's a little freebie for you if you decide to set up a "Get Well" Station. Click the pic to download.

I hope you are enjoying your winter break. (I know I am-Pj's all day? Yes please!) You DESERVE a little R & R after teaching the month of December!

Now, I love the holiday season. The lights, the music, the excitement... but I especially LOVE the after holiday shopping! I always stock up on Christmas cards and wrapping paper for next year. Who doesn't love a sale, right?

Well, the girls and I thought it we should join in on the shopping fun and host an "After Christmas Sale", just for all you hard working teachers out there!

We know you got some nice gifts (love those fuzzy house socks and comfy PJ's)
But what you really wanted was some awesome teaching resources to use in your classroom- and some time away to relax. (Or is that just me? ;))

So from Thursday, December 26th through Sunday, December 29th, you can save 20% off all your favorite Primary Chalkboard seller's resources!

The best part? We know you don't want to fight the crowds (or put on real pants for that matter...) So for this sale, you can shop right from your couch in your stretchy pants!

Here's some quick links to all of our stores, so you don't have to go searching for us!

Happy Holidays all!! As we look back on Sandy Hook yesterday, I am thankful everyday to be able to love and hug on my two little loves, Gabriel and Aidan! They do drive me nuts but I love them to pieces! One of the things that I really like to focus on in my classroom is to create memories for families by hosting events in the classroom! So this week, I hosted a Gingerbread Decorating event in my classroom! It was total fun! Look at all the great houses!

It was really easy to plan and the families pretty much take care of all the work!! And I have all the files you will need to plan your Gingerbread party!

Click on the picture to download your invitation for FREE! And I have also included a family donation list of ALL the items you will need to make your houses and sugar cone Christmas trees. Some tips:

*You will need LOTS of frosting!! I assigned two items per student (if possible). I put food colouring in two canisters of the frosting for the Christmas trees and it was more than enough. Then I coloured some other canisters of frosting (blue, red, purple) and put them in bags to pipe icing onto their houses.

*I placed one canister of frosting per 2 students but you will have more than enough if you place one canister of frosting for 4 students. I also gave one package of graham crackers for each student and this was more than enough!

*Save the milk cartons from lunch to be the base of your gingerbread houses!!! I rinsed and dried them out then stapled them shut.

*Seems like it would just make sense but one year I forgot, make sure each student gets a plastic knife! Not pretty spreading frosting with a spoon! ha!

*Use muffin tins to hold all the materials. I also lined them with cupcake liners for easy cleanup! Don't forget to cover your tables with paper. If I had it, I would've covered my tables with wrapping paper for a more festive look!

*Use a sturdy plate like the Chinet brand plates to place your gingerbread houses on! I liked the oval ones.. They had more than enough room for all their things!!

* Show examples of gingerbread houses, Sugar cone Christmas trees, graham cracker sleighs... Don't have a presentation?? NO WORRIES!! I have one for you!! Click on the image below for another free hook-up... I mean, download!!!

Here are a few more pics!

Overall, it was a great day! When it was all said and done, I had a holiday bingo game out and a holiday photo booth with props made by a wonderful room mom I have!!

Totally fun times!!! Loved every minute of it and I wasn't stressed because the families did most of the work (even helped clean up!!! They are the best!!) and all I did was take pictures and help out here and there!

I hope that you will have a Gingerbread decorating par-tay like we did because they are totally fun and you can't go wrong with icing and candy!! They just spell fun and holidays! LOL!!

If you are looking for more holiday ideas, please stop back on our Primary Chalkboard and also come by and see me on my blog this week for a sweet idea and an easy way to package it for your families. Inexpensive, too!!)

These ideas are ours. We joyfully share them with you to use in your own classroom, but never to claim as your own in any fashion. They are the intellectual property of each talented blogger represented here.